Variax In Pedal Form?

Started by Guitarshreda, March 01, 2016, 10:34:35 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Guitarshreda

Hi all -- this is my first post here on the forums. 

I do a lot of pit work as well as play in several cover band and original bands where altered tunings are needed.  I'm trying to downsize my rig a lot, and recently I've picked up a Line 6 Helix which has done wonders for my rig.  For drop tunings that I've used (1/2 down or full step down -- or even to simulate a 7 string) I've used the Pitch Shifter on Helix, which has worked "ok".

However, the more pit work I'm doing, I'm needing many different instruments (electric, acoustic, nylon, uke, banjo, etc...) and my first thought was Variax technology.  With that said, I'm quite partial to the instrument that I currently own (an EBMM Artisan Majesty).  The instrument itself (feel and comfort wise) is the best that I've every played and certainly there's no comparison (for me) with what Line 6 has available for their Variax models, they just don't compare to this guitar.

Obviously this leaves me with few options.  I then stumbled across the RackVax, which is a very cool concept, putting the guts of the Variax into a rack unit.  However, I do not wish to carry around a rack to gigs, especially pit gigs.  I'd be using Helix straight into a small power amp for pit work.  Space is limited so I'm trying to keep things on the small side.  This leads me to....

Has anyone created a Variax Pedal?  I imagine it would work the same way that a RackVax would, with the 13pin connection for the Hex pickup on the guitar end.  Would I be able to use the Variax connection to have Helix control tunings/guitar models/etc...?  What are the possible issues that go into creating one of these pedals? 

Thanks!

Elantric

#1
Consider the Antares ATG-1  - works with any 13pin guitar - (so mount a Gk-3 to your EBMM)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=7286.0

FWIW - Story of RackVax is here ( I co-designed it)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3928.msg10512#msg10512

Guitarshreda

Thanks for the links -- I figured that RackVax is no longer being produced.

The ATG-1 sounds amazing -- but it's such a huge footprint to add to my board.  I'm hoping for something as compact as possible.  The Variax system is great because I can use Helix to control all of it's functions which is why I'm still leaning towards that rather then another product.

I know I'll need to add a GK-3 to my guitar, which I'm fine about, especially since I can mod the guitar without permanent changes to it. 

germanicus

You may want to try one of the custom USA built James Tyler Variax models. I use the Korean JTV's, but understand the USA built models are appreciably better quality, supposedly similar in quality to James Tyler, Suhr, or Tom Anderson guitars.
My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4

sixeight

The GP-10 would do the job. It has a small footprint.

And it works well with normal amps:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=17478.0

Guitarshreda

Quote from: sixeight on March 01, 2016, 12:43:00 PM
The GP-10 would do the job. It has a small footprint.

And it works well with normal amps:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=17478.0

I've thought about it -- it's a bit too much.  I don't need all that extra stuff, just guitar models plus the ability to downtune.  Plus the GP-10 doesn't have the extended instrument range the Variax does.  Plus the connectivity between Variax and Helix is incredibly useful.